Pooping 101: 4 Signs Your Poop Is Healthy

I’ll spare you the details, but I’ve seen more poop selfies from people to last a lifetime. Our team started putting disclaimers on these emails so we didn’t open them while eating ha ha.

But in all seriousness, I’m very happy these people are actually using their poop as a troubleshooting tool. Many people don’t (or won’t), because talking about poop can be very weird in today’s culture.

But if we’re honest about it we can learn a lot from our poop. If we actually stop and take a look in the toilet bowl, our poop can be a very real indication of our health on a regular basis.

Your Poop is Whispering to You

We all poop. It’s one of the few reminders we get about our health on a (hopefully) daily basis, and yet most don’t pay much attention to it. But the truth is: if you’re not pooping right, it could be a subtle clue from your body that something is going wrong.

You’re probably spending a lot of time and energy to consume healthy, real food. But are you digesting it well? Are you breaking it down and absorbing all of the nutrients? The quality of your poop is a direct indication of how well your digestive tract is functioning.

If you’re poop isn’t healthy, your digestive tract is either moving too slow or too fast… which can lead to an increased risk of conditions like neurological disease, autoimmune disease and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Not only that, recent research suggests that your brain and the good bacteria in your gut communicate directly with one another influencing your mood, immune system, and inflammation levels (1) (2) (3).

There’s also good short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in your colon, which have anti-inflammatory effects and increase insulin sensitivity (4).

Think of your poop like the check engine light in your car. We all hate it when that turns on, but it’s important. Your engine might need something simple like a new air filter… or it could be 2 miles before everything blows up. If you don’t do something about it, you could get stranded on the side of the road with a huge repair bill.

BUT… if you’re pooping well it could be a good sign your body is doing well and on the way to good health.

Is Your Poop Healthy?

There are four keys to a perfect poop. If you’ve ever had one… you know what we’re talking about. But if you’re not sure, take this poop assessment and see where you stack up.

1. Does your poop look like a snake?

The most important part of a healthy poop is the quality, so you need to start looking down and see what’s really going on in the toilet. Thankfully, the folks at the University of Bristol published a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, gifting us with the Bristol Stool Chart (5).

Here it is:

Where does your most recent BM stack up? Anything between a Bristol 1-3 is considered constipated, while 6’s and 7’s are considered diarrhea.

What this means: A healthy poop is “like a sausage or a snake, smooth and soft.” If your poops aren’t looking 4-ish, it could be trying to tell you something (like you have low stomach acid).

2. How often are you pooping?

Everyone is different, but the research agrees we should all poop every day. The range of healthy is typically 1-3 times a day, and it can vary day-to-day. Poop is waste and you need to get rid of it every day to make sure that you’re properly removing toxins. Some people even have bowel movements every time they eat.

What this means: If you find yourself pooping a couple times a week, you’re probably constipated. If you’re going 5+ times a day, you’re on the diarrhea side of things. Both could pose serious health risks over the long term.

3. How easy is it to poop?

It’s so normal in our culture to take a newspaper to the bathroom and spend 30 minutes in there battling it out with your poop. But the reality is a healthy poop should only take but a few minutes. It should be easy. Pushing typically leads to hemorrhoids, which are all too common today.

What this means: Normal poop strikes a balance between not having to push or strain, but also not having so much urgency you can barely hold it. If you’re spending 10+ minutes on the toilet or running to make it just in time, you’re not having healthy bowel movements.

4. Did you get it all out?

For some people this is a non-issue… but part of a healthy poop is having what’s called “full evacuation.” Are you getting all your poop out when you sit down? Do you have to keep coming back over and over again? Or do you feel like there’s always something left behind making you feel uncomfortable?

What this means: A healthy poop is a complete one. If you never quite feel empty, then you’re not having healthy bowel movements.

3 Tips to Improve Your Poop

If your poop isn’t normal based on the quiz above, we know your digestive health isn’t what it should be. So, here’s a few tips to improve your digestive health and get closer to perfect poops.

1. Avoid the 4 Horsemen

The biggest problem we see with people eating a real food diet, like Paleo, SCD, WAPF, or GAPS, is when they’re still not pooping well. There could be a lot of different root causes behind that, but the first place to start troubleshooting is the “4 horsemen.” These are the 4 most common foods that are allowed, but cause a lot of problems. They are dairy, nuts/nut flours, eggs, and too much fruit/honey.

If you’re someone who’s struggling with constipation or diarrhea, you need to start troubleshooting your diet first. The most important thing you can do is listen to what your poop is telling you and continue to make changes and improve the food you’re eating. Removing the four horsemen can sometimes transform people’s poop overnight.

2. Eat Good Bugs

Our gut has a TON of bacteria, and a healthy gut flora is critical for healthy poop.

Consume good bugs every single day. Start with foods like sauerkraut, kimchi or water kefir and see how well you tolerate them. A high quality probiotic, like Prescript Assist, is one supplement that can also boost the immune system in the gut and improve digestive health. To learn more about probiotics, go here.

3. Eat More Fat (And Take Digestive Enzymes)

Fat has a direct impact on peristalsis… the waves our bodies make to get rid of poop. Fat can be extremely helpful for people who are constipated. Increase your healthy fats from sources like coconut oil, animal fat, olive oil, and fermented cod liver oil.

However, increasing healthy fats can sometimes make diarrhea worse, which is why we recommend starting out with a good digestive enzyme (brands in this video). They contain Lipase, which is the enzyme that can help digest healthy fats.

If you aren’t having healthy poops right now, try these three changes for 30 days and see how you feel. The best part about poop is that it keeps giving you feedback, so you have regular signs of whether these changes are helping or not.

If you’ve tried all of this but you’re still in need of next level support, then register for our webinar on how to tune into your body to understand what it needs to work better:

Why cramping is a dead giveaway and the specific steps you need to follow for relief

If gas is normal and what it means if you’re not healing

How to quickly come up with THE RIGHT TWEAK to stop nagging symptoms fast, through our “hot seat” tweaking sessions

How to understand the subtle clues from your body so deeply that your next steps will become obvious

We even share a quick at-home test you can try immediately if you’re having stomach pain and our bonus 5-day emergency diet handout detailing the exact foods we eat to relieve symptoms in 5 days (this is something we’ve been testing for years).

Hope to see you there!

– Jordan

P.S. – Where does your poop stack up? Leave a comment and let us know.

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About the author

Jordan Reasoner is a health engineer and author. He was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007 and almost gave up hope when a gluten-free diet didn’t work. Since then, he transformed his health using the SCD Diet and started SCDLifestyle.com to help others naturally heal stomach problems. You can check out his story here and find him on Google+, Facebook or Twitter.

When I was younger I had such regular poops I never really had to worry about it until recently when I started trying to eat healthier and gain more muscle. I began eating more fruits and nuts, which I now know I should avoid, but I’m also experiencing other symptoms too. I don’t poop but maybe 1-2 every 3 day, I’m bloated in the lower stomach, and I’ve even had a gradual weight gain over the past 3-4 months. Would making a dietary change eliminate these issues? Or do you think there’s something deeper?

On average I can poop 3-5 times a day. Most of the time they range from #3-4… I know if I dont drink enough or if I take a pain pill then I get constipated like #1-2. And once in a while I’m around a #5-6 depending on what I might of eaten.
My mom swears she’s never seen anyone that poops as much as I do or how large they can get.

But lately I find that the size & firmness of my poop is making me bleed when I go (Not everytime). I’m not sure if I have too much fiber or if i didnt drink enough that day or if I need to take a softner every other day or something…

Hello. My issue is that my poop has been at a 1 or 2 for quite a few years now (99% of the time, they are pebble-like). Most sink, but a few occasionally float, and they’re all almost always dark in color. I do have acid reflux, and occasional problems with gas and bloating. I usually poop, on average, between 3-5 times a day. Should I be concerned?

Sluggish and tired most days. But I attribute that to the medications I’m on. However, I had this issue several years before I even started taking the meds. They are more at a 1 than a 2. I don’t think it’s because I’m not drinking enough water or getting enough fluids, but most of the time, it takes some effort to go.

After i came back from Iraq… my poop have been 4 at first then 6 n 7 after im done…. Then later its always 6 n 7…. I’ve told my army doctor but he keeps giving me fiber powder or whatever to put in my water, taste gross….So i don’t do that anymore… plus i have GERD …any suggestions?

Hi. I have gone many times a day for many years-mostly diarrhea. I’m keeping a log and have full bowel movements 11 to 19 times a day. Obviously this is distressing. I can’t find anyone else who admits to this same problem. Last colonoscopy was normal. What on earth can i do? Thanks

I am not having a proper bowel movement. When I go to poop 1st time in morning, then I feel like I have emptied my stomach because I m pooping in good amount seriously. But again after one and half hour I have to attend toilet and again I poop in good amount. I want to stop this habit ASAP. Please help me.

Hi Gary – a floating stool is a sign of inflammation, gas in the stool, and possible gut infections. We’d suggest first starting by changing your diet (SCD, paleo, or something similar). http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/ is a great place to start for the SCD diet. If you don’t see some improvement, we’d suggest stool testing after that.

Hi Gary – a floating stool is a sign of inflammation, gas in the stool, and possible gut infections. We’d suggest first starting by changing your diet (SCD, paleo, or something similar). http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/ is a great place to start for the SCD diet. If you don’t see some improvement, we’d suggest stool testing after that.

I go to do poop 2 or 3 times a day and i have a gastric problem also.and it is becoming a habit to go to toilet to check that it is left to do poop or not.and my poop shape is like snake type.it is a normal Or not.please reply me….

Usually I have healthy #4 but since a week ago today, I have had cramps and very loose unformed poop. Cramps are diminishing. Frequency has never been more than 1 or 2 a day. Last 2 days, sank to bottom but still not keeping form. I expect I ate something bad but concerned that it is still not normal after a week. I have removed dairy from my diet this week except for a tiny bit of butter. I am eating bananas, dry toast, oatmeal, tiny bit of honey, apple sauce, rice. Last night I added mushrooms and celery garlic and onions to my white rice and raisins and blueberries in the morning to my oatmeal. Suggestions?

HI Nancy, many things can affect the quality of our stool – like food, stress, exercise, etc. WE’d suggest first looking at your diet. It really helps to follow an elimination diet so you always know what foods you can tolerate and which ones you can’t. From the list you’re mentioned, I’d suggest removing all dairy and grain.

Ok, so I poop like 5-6 times a day. It’s all pretty consistent. Not hard, not runny. Sometimes I’ll go and then 5-10 mins later I have to go again. I’ve always said I have the worlds fastest Intestines because I can usually Have a BM 45 mins after eating, even though we’ve been told it takes longer to digest. I’ve also had some coloration issues. I once pooped green for a month even though my diet had not changed. I eat fairly healthy, sometimes fast food, but I cook at home a lot. I don’t drink soda or sugary drinks, I’m fairly active, I walk almost 3 miles a day when I work, 3 days a week. Just wondering if there is any concern in my toilet habits!

Hello – not feeling complete after a bowel movement or having to go again right away is a sign of constipation ( a much less known sign). If you haven’t cleaned up your diet, we suggest starting there. Here are some helpful articles for you on constipation:http://scdlifestyle.com/category/constipation/

I’ve been on a hybrid diet, low calories with tons of fiber and protein, for a few months now. Trying to lose weight and build muscle at the same time, though my exercising has been terribly inconsistent. Probably not dehydrated, I drink a minimum 64oz water daily, usually more. No antibiotics or weird supplements.

Anyway, my movements have defaulted to 1 & 2 entirely. Other than the shape, the firmness and frequency are the same as healthy, middle chart movements. 2-3 times daily, soft, but not too soft, definitely not 5+ side of the scale. No cramping or bloating or anything, either. I’ve had IBS for as long as can remember, swinging from constipated to diarrhea constantly, but that’s gone away almost completely. Eating a little too much fiber sometimes causes this clear jelly stuff, but it goes away within a day or two and doesn’t come with any discomfort or apparent side effects.

Should I be looking into this at all? (Not literally, haha.)
Everything online is saying I’m suuuper constipated, but I’m clearly not. The jelly is either totally harmless or my kidneys are failing…?!

The last time I had an actual emergency that had my doctor checking this stuff out, it didn’t come back with anything out of the ordinary, so I’m not going to get my, uh, samples tested again when everything feels better than normal. It’s just… kinda weird.

HI Jay – your poop will tell you a lot about what’s going on inside the body and this is a great marker to. Some of the things you’ve described aren’t optimal. We also say to base things on how well you feel each day. IF you’re getting up with a ton of energy (and no stimulants to produce that;) and generally feel well through out the day than that’s a great sign. It does sound like you might have some constipation going on and here are some resources for you: http://scdlifestyle.com/category/constipation/

Could taking an antibiotic affect bathroom habits? I usually go once a day, but the past few weeks it’s been several times throughout the day. It’s almost getting to the point of creating some anxiety when I have to leave the house for too long.

Dietary fiber is something i pay attention to but healthy diet is key too. I pay alot of attention to my poop. Tells me if i drank enough water or had to many beers with friends. I would take diarrhea over constipation anyday

Recently I have been having poops that are #4 in shape (snake, holds together) but not texture- the surface is rough and the stool is very soft, more like #6 in texture. What does this mean? I try to eat healthy; I eat at least 5 fruits and veggies a day, not too many fats etc. and exercise regularly. I haven’t had any physical discomfort but have been particularly gassy. Any idea what might be going on?

HI Audrey – sounds like your on the side of having diarrhea (even though it’s not totally there at this point). I’d recommend some digestive enzymes and also looking at your diet to identifying trigger foods. Here are some enzymes we recommend: Digest Gold – http://amzn.to/XHZOjS

I had hemorrhoid surgery around 5 years ago and my Dr. said that I should eat a high fiber diet. Hard to do. I charted my meals and found that all that I was eating was fiber! So, I eat as much fiber in foods as I can and then supplement that with Metamucil and FiberWell gummies. But, here’s the problem that I have: I get up in the morning and poop, and then poop pretty much every hour or so until mid-afternoon. This has been going on since my surgery five years ago! What’s worse is that if I miss some fiber and end up kind of constipated or if I have a banana mid-day to maybe slow down the times that I have to poop–I still have the feeling that I have to go but now it’s hard and I have to push way too much and there’s mucus in the stool. When should I decide to a see the Dr. about this?

Hi Mark – it sounds like you need to make some changes as soon as possible! I’m not confident that the doctor will be able to help you much here. We’d suggest changing your diet, healing your gut, and letting your body heal naturally. If you need help with constipation, magnesium and Vitamin C can help for starters, but we shouldn’t have to rely on those long term to have regular bowel movements. We’d suggest checking out our constipation program here: http://constipationhelp.scdlifestyle.com

I go twice a day,changed my diet and i have improved my health.I eat kale and cannelli beans,chicken,lots of greens,parsley juice,bran muffins ect.. my.poop went from dark brown to a lighter shade of brown but its all good.Doc said its because i am getting proper nutrients now and i also only drink water,about 75 Oz a day.I feel great.As.long as.your stools are not white,black.or red and no health issues you should be fine.

HI Marie, thanks for reaching out! Nuts can be hard to break down in the digestive tract and are also in the top ten list of high allergy foods. Any food we can’t properly break down has the potential to sit in the gut and feed pathogenic bacteria. Nuts aren’t necessarily bad, we just need to use precaution with how much we’re eating, the type (whole pieces, nut butter, nut milk) and when we introduce them.

I normally poop around 3-5 times a day. It typically comes out soft and like a snake but casually also comes out string like when I eat bad or spend a night drinking. I’ve never really had issues with going. If I have to go, I go and I’m fine for about 3-4 hrs. But this past week and a half, I’ve been having trouble pooping on schedule and also when I do it’s only about once a day and comes out green and looks like type 6. I didn’t have any changes in my diet and also I’m having trouble keeping off weight. What might be the issue?

HI Anthony, there are many factors that play a role in bowel movements. Hydration, sleep, stress, diet, hormones, and exercise are some of those factors. We’d recommend dialing in your diet and paying atttention to how those other factors play into how you feel. A journal is a great way to do that:)

I have had watery diarrhea for 8 years with serious urgency problems. When I have to go I don’t have time to wait. Today by 11:35am I have been up since 6 am and have evacuated my bowels 4 times. I will go at least 3 more times before I go to bed and once in the middle of the night. This is daily for me. I am a marine corps veteran and have a va hospital in my town but the doctors I’ve visited there act like it’s not a big problem. They have done zero tests and I have mentioned it every time I go there. When I say diahhrea I haven’t had a solid poop in years. It feels, sounds, and has the consistency of water every time. I’m not exaggerating. I would love some relief

When I was vegan my poo was like mushy diarrhea but now that I eat meat I will have a firm poo (shit) and what you called a full evaucation. This doesn’t happen all the time though and I really wish it would because I hate the feeling of poo left behind. I tried using a stool for my feet but that didn’t work and I read about squatting on the toilet seat when I was vegan. That didn’t work and I read it the comments somewhere and how it explained in technical terms why it wouldn’t work. Sometimes it will be hard and mushy and all the mush or poo won’t come out. Also inside would be unclean from the mush. Sometimes I wish I had chronic diarrhea so I wouldn’t have a peice or peices of poo in my butthole. How do I make it firm all the time or is it unatural to have firm and full evacuation poos everyday? Am I being unrealistic? Thanks.

Hi Vanessa – if your gut is in great health, there is no reason why you shouldn’t have perfect poop every day! A squatty potty or stool to raise up your feet can certainly help with complete evacuation, but if your gut health isn’t perfect, it will only help so much. I really hope you’ll join us for a free webinar on Tuesday about how you can further improve your gut health to get you closer to perfect poops! Here’s how to register (its free!): http://solvingleakygut.com/webinar/live-qva/

Hi there, for the past 2 months I have been experiencing constant changes within my bowels from day to day. On average I poop 1-3 times a day ranging from type 5 – 6. I notice a lot of undigested food in my poop on most days, usually undigested fruits and vegetables and some whole foods like brown rice and grains. My poop is always changing colour from day to day, same days it can be brown, very pale yellow, orange and sometimes even a mix of these colours within the same stool. Is there anything I can do!

Hi there, I’ve always had intestinal issues but noticed it got worse after I had my daughter. A few weeks ago I discontinued my birth control and noticed I was bloated and constipated. My Obgyn said that this can happen and put me on a different birth control at my request. Well I’ve been on it for three days and have felt constipated the past week or so. It’s like I’ll go but feels like it’s not complete. Of course I have anxiety and think the worst. Any advice or is this normal for someone who has IBS?

My poop is a #5, #6, when I sleep I can feel the urge to poop, but I wait until morning, when I get up I have to poop right away, I have told my doctor, she’s says it’s normal? After I sip on a coffee I poop again. I know I’ve had a problem for awhile, any suggestions for me? I will go see naturopathic. I do burp a lot in the morning and I am taking a digest-more vitamin. Thanks in advance.

It’s all about what you put in your body (and what you don’t)
Lots of water: distilled or RO water ONLY!! (Why? because all water is contaminated: city people are and have been medicated for seventy plus years with FLUORIDE and CHLORINE. All other water including bottled water has inorganic minerals that remain in your body and accumulate over time: it’s a horror story.
* Fruit and Vegetables. (Organic if available and if affordable)
*NO WHEAT PRODUCTS. (That’s a hard one primarily because 1. It tastes so good. 2. It’s addicting. 3. it’s in practically every prepared food on the market shelves. Wheat is one of the most destructive food to your colon health. DOCTORS, bless them, DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT COLON HEALTH. My sister in law had IBS for the last twenty years! She went to lot’s of doctors, had dozens of tests, took hundreds of prescription pills yet the suffering continues!!
Anyway,…it’s not magic…it’s mostly intuition, common sense, and a willingness to ask hard questions. Doctors are good people but they’re not God.
May you all be blessed with abundant health and happiness,
Danny

I can say that a HUGE thing I tried that has made a world of difference with my bowel movements is squatting. I prop my feet up on my kid’s bathroom step stool every time I go. I can’t remember the last time I had to push or strain to get it all out. Very effective and SO simple! I tried it because I saw a commercial for the Squatty Potty which is a specialized step that fits around your toilet base. Anyway, I’ve been squatting for about a year now and I have never felt better as far as bowel health. I highly recommend it. Its a little uncomfortable at 1st but you will quickly get used to it.

Hi, I’ve always suffered from constipation (since i was a little girl). But in the last 2/3 years my poop sinks all the way down the toilet. I mean, I can’t never see it, or just get to see the tip, so I can only say how it feels coming out rather than how it looks. What’s wrong with that? or is it totally normal because all poop is supposed to sink anyway?

I had diarrhea that began around 6 or 7 pm 5 days ago and since then my poop has been weird it has mostly been type 5 stool but I took a fiber pill and I went there was a normal stool and a few thin pieces IDK just been a bit worried I’ve been using Google to search things and some of it is scary I went so much I am raw and will have blood spots on the toilet paper towards the end of wiping plz help could this be a change in my diet or something serious

Hi Greg – I know it can be embarrassing to talk to your parents or doctor about these issues but diarrhea that begins suddenly like this can be a sign of something like food poisoning, a gut infection, or something else that your doctor needs to address ASAP. There is also a serious risk of dehydration. I recommend you go to the doctor right away and don’t try any more home remedies or google searches until your doc has had a chance to talk with you.

I am a 16 year old female. I have a fairly healthy diet. But I can only poo 3-4 times a month. It causes constant discomfort and pain. I feel full and bloated so bad at times that it hurts really badly. I even feel sick to my stomach from the pressure and fullness. But I still can not go. Please help me I don’t know what to do.

Hi, thank you for an informative article. I have had soft, mushy stools for a few years now, sometimes more watery than others, I poop regularly twice daily. I eat a healthy diet and eat my 5 a day easily. I don’t do much dairy, only a cup of kefir once daily. I have been battling this past year with lots of illnesses. I’ve had a viral infection causing vestibular neuritis, which has worn me down, a 3 week long horrible bronchitis, developed eczema patches, had a horribly infected sebaceous cyst etc.
As I am eating healthy I am wondering why my immune system is so low and am worried that I am perhaps not absorbing enough nutrients. Any ideas or input as to what I can do to firm up my stools? Many thanks

Hi Patriica – thanks for reaching out to us! It sounds like you could be dealing with increased intestinal permeability or “leaky gut” – even people who eat healthfully can develop this. We host a free webinar on Tuesdays where you can learn more about leaky gut, how it develops and if you could have it – and most importantly -what you can do to heal it so you feel better. You can register for the free webinar here: http://solvingleakygut.com/webinar/live-qva/

Once or twice a week, I have a poop that takes a long time and is extremely painful in my abdomen. It looks like type 4 but is a giant pile. I have more normal poops other times, but I’m wondering what’s going on in my stomach that is so painful. Any ideas? I always thought I may have IBS, but never spoke to a doc about it.

Hi Tracy -have you noticed any relation to something you eat or a stressful event when this occurs? For example – maybe one day a eek you have an appointment across town that disrupts your morning routine and forces you to drive through morning traffic, skip breakfast, and eat a bigger lunch. It could be something else, too – its always a good idea to talk with your doctor or practitioner about anything that is worrying you.

Hey, I recently changed my diet massively, I barely touch any fatty foods and I’m constantly on water. My poo, is like a really really light brown could class as yellow/brown I would say but it can sometimes be long like a snake and sometimes it can be diarrahea, yesterday I experienced 2 white like penny shaped lumps or spots or what ever they were ? I’m clearly in a state of mind where I don’t know what’s going on I feel like my doctor keeps telling me there’s nothing wrong but that surely can’t be normal ? Please help if you know of anything ?

Hello.
I need advice please. Im going 4-5 times a day. And it usually looks like #6. I don’t feel like i eat a ton of food to be going that much. This started about 3 months ago. Sometimes I have to go back to the restroom to wipe again and again. Please help

And one more thing..i never had hard poops..always..soft even i told before..like mud…and..i had to go for pooping everyday..even after a daY of fasting…and i am overweight…but i hqd more weight before..and after a good weight loss even ,my problem does not change..and my timings are increasing day by day…and yes…i dont have a proper daily routine ..i awake at nights…and woke up very late at morning…but if smday,,i woke up early…it dos not do anything change in my bowling habbit..thanx and please help me…even doctors could not,..help me..

Hi…i m 22…i m having a real trouble of pooping from atleast 8 years ago..i take too much time for pooping..like minimum 1 hour to maximum 3 hours…i generally go once a day..bcoz after that i have no more energy…i have poop may be like..number 6..but it is more like mast poop..like yellow mud..i have too much mucus in my poop..and i always feel..that my bowl is not clear…i need to do more poop…and if some time i have to do an early poop..like within half an hour..then in that day i always have to go for poop one more time..bcoz i had that cramps…and when sometime i poop 2 times a day..then may be 2nd time i poop for a shorter time..but that is also…not less than.,45 minits…so..it is very tough for..me..i poop a very large amount..at 1st i poop at that large amount then i need to push more…and it is painfull..but after all that pushing again a large amount..and then also..little little yellow mucus..and liittle poops are there…and i really have painfull time in pooping…2hours is too much..i need help that i can also poop within few minits,,,please help..me…and i also had done colonoscopy and no such problem there..only mucus..is found..but i k ow that it is a big trou le..i really need hwlp badly…please help me…

Okay so what’s wrong with me…
I may only poop a couple times a week, sometimes I may poop after every meal as a lot of the time eating upsets my stomach.
Typically after eating and my stomach being upset I poop 3-4 times within 2 hours, and it consistently goes from 1, to 4, to 6 to 7. Every times. At first when its 1 it takes a long time to come out, once it comes out its almost lile a cork popping off a champagne bottle and for a moment its 4 and then quickly switches to 6 and 7. By the time it’s at 6 and 7 it’s really warm and burns. What is going on here. I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried telling my doctor and he just told me to eat more fibre….

Mine varies from 1-7…. it all depends. First, my diet is not great, and consists of a lot of processed and fast food. I don’t exercise much either, although my work is rather physical. Pretty sure that I have IBS. I go through periods where my poop is 1 or 2, and after leaving the bathroom i have the feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation. Right now it is at #3, and i have been going daily. And it’s usually not daily for me, but once every 2 days or so. Then sometimes I have type 5 or 6 every other day for a short period… or soft stool that just pours out into one big mushy pile (eww, i know). And I have a diarrhea fear so every time i feel it coming on I take some activated charcoal pills.
Things are going good for me right now with my poop. Keeping my fingers crossed that this good spell lasts. Only thing is it is brown with an orange tinge and not sure if that is normal. And I have been having bloating so getting worried about cancer.

Hi,
Generally I poop 3-4 times a day ( atleast 30-45 min. each time)and sometimes it can be even more than this and upto 5-6 max.Pattern is alsmost fixed. When i woke up in morning, i already feel pressure and went for first time and normally feel almost clear and time taken is 30-45 min. Then in between 30-45 min. after, i again feel pressure and went for second time and normally feel almost clear.(nearly 99% cases) and time taken is 25-35 min. Then feel comfortable in day time. Then in evening, i start feeling urge for poop in between 5:30-7:30 pm normally and get cleared in between 30-45 min.. Many times i got comfortable in 3 times, but if i eat something in evening before my third time, then i have to go for 4th time also. I am facing this issue since last 10-15 years.Now my queries are
1). Why so much time in every poop whereas my life partner takes hardly 5 minutes only ( We eat same food).
2). Why 3-4 times whereas my life partner takes hardly 5 minutes only ( We eat same food).
3). Should i need to consult doctor? If yes, then which specialist (gastroenterologist or urologist etc.)
Please reply.

hi everyone,
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice. I’ve been to my GP (I’m from england) before regarding my poop and got tested for celiac and turned up negative, yet I still have so many problems! I was diagnosed with IBS (so not really a proper diagnosis) and still have problems daily despite eating healthily. my poop consistently fluctuates from a 1 or 2 to a 5 or 6 and sometimes I feel the urge to go and all that comes out is mucus which stings 🙁 generally I poop 4-5 times a day and sometimes it can be even more than this and it’s painful! I think I already may have a haemorrhoid and I’m only 21 🙁 I feel like the doctors don’t know enough about it to help and I’ve been reading up on leaky gut but I’m finding it difficult to formulate a proper plan to heal my gut! It can really get my down because I also have problem skin which I think stems from my gut problems 🙁 please help!

Hi Hyley – I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through! I’ve been there and I know how frustrating it is – especially because it seems like all the advice for healing your gut contradicts itself. I recommend attending one of our free webinars where we lay out our plan for how to fix your gut (changes to your diet, lifestyle, and adding some key supplements) – here’s the link to register: (It’s free and if you can’t make it at that time, we’ll send you a replay as long as you register!) http://solvingleakygut.com/webinar/live-qva/

I poop on a daily basis 5-8 times a day and sometimes it will range from number 1-5 and when I poop more then that I start to break out in a rash from the bottom of my bum to the crack above my butt hole is all of that normal what’s wrong with me if it’s not normal

I’m a little shy about openly talking about my poop but here goes…
I AM vegan with a terrible diet that consists of either prepackaged vegan entrees from the grocery store, lots of starches!!! IE: I eat a baked potato three times a week for dinner! Pasta, rice, etc and am not a huge fan of a lot of veggies thou I DO eat them! I basically only eat once a day and that would be dinner time! BUT I DO eat 2 bags of salty sunflower seeds a day! ( no exaggeration if anything maybe a little more)!!! It’s an anxiety habbit I have!
I’m sure it’s what’s causing my strange poop but I thought I’d run it buy you. Also my triglycerides are high and I’m on medication for that, and I’m on vicodin three times a day! I don’t know if that makes a difference but you should have all the information! (I thought pain meds make you constipated)?
So I feel a strong urge to go about 3 time a day (2 x in the morning) and I go and the tolit is FULL of a inch diameter of snake like poop that took only seconds to go! It looks like the whole (and shape) of my intestine. Maybe 3 feet long 2x w/in hours! It’s not an odd color bit it feels like it should have taken 5 mins to achieve that length not 30 seconds!
I’m assuming it to much fiber as there is no blood in my stool. (has with colon cancer poop) It would just be nice to hear that it’s OK to be an easy pooper (I just loled) and my system is clean!
Thanks for any feedback!

While it is awesome to be able to evacuate completely and easily – you shouldn’t have extreme urgency. And big poop isn’t necessarily better (a fiber supplement or eating a lot of fiber will make you poop more, but doesn’t necessarily mean you have a healthy gut).

Pooping is awesome! I used to have a poor diet and it would take me 30 minutes to (like you said) battle it out. My diet has changed to just eating better. I have no restrictions, just reaching for more fruits, veggies, and my favorite, nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, mmm..) and lots of water. Meat still stops me up a bit. But poopin’ is pretty awesome now. After every meal and no bloating, rejoice!

Hey! I’ve been having a bad poop experience. I poop quite a less amount out almost everyday. It is like the 1st type. I sometimes get to go to the bathroom like when am in school. I really get tensed. I eat a lot of fried food(not the healthy ones). I always feel unfinished even though I sit in the toilet for 20+ mins cause nothing seems to come even after sitting that long. I also keep getting the feeling that it may come anytime and I also have anxiety. A little help here please!

So from time to time when I poop there is blood. But it only for like one day. It’s mostly on the toilet paper once it was in my poop. Idk what it can be I’m healthy as can be I eat normal and poop 3-4 times a day. I rarely ever have stomach problems it never Hurts unless I’m really gassy which only happens when I’m asleep and wake up to poop. I also do a lot of running so it’s not affecting my health as well. I’d like to think of it as my body getting rid of nasty toxins from my body. I recently started drinking colloidal silver water and that sam night I took it blood alot of it seems like it wasn’t a cut from wiping too hard as I feel like I do wipe too hard. But it was also in the bowl. It has been happening since 2008.

Blood in your stool can be a sign of serious problems and it is always important to get this checked out by your doctor before doing anything else. We don’t recommend continuing with any supplements that seem to be worsening the bleeding, like silver, either. Please see your doctor as soon as you can. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

I’m the typical poop after every meal I eat. And depending on how hydrated I am is how soon it comes after. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to happen. I poop usually every morning when I wake up, no matter what time it is. The strange thing is, that if my body gets too hot my stomach cramps and then shortly after I poop and its not my typical poo, it’s more soft and sometimes a mix of liquid and soft formed. I also drink coffee every day which is a great diuretic. Eating a healthy snack about 30 minutes before I go to bed helps me start the morning. It’s usually cereal. How many time a day is too many? I’ve already had two and sometimes I poop six times a day.

So I had my gall bladder removed about a year ago I have to go take a poop at least 5 times a day, before my poop was healthy now it is 6 and 7 on the chart. I called my doctor he said it is because my gall bladder was pulled, I don’t believe him.
Also when I eat something it comes out between 5 hrs to 7 hrs is that okay? I am 33 years old

Hi Jim – we agree with your doctor. Your gallbladder serves a very important role in your digestion – bile is stored in the gallbladder and released when you eat fat based on how much fat you eat. When the gallbladder is removed, bile instead constantly trickles down from the liver (where it is made) into the intestines. This means you can have too much or too little bile when you eat – causing both diarrhea and constipation. Your doctor might have called this “postcholecystectomy syndrome.” Coconut oil is a fat that is absorbed differently from other fats and is typically better tolerated by those who have had their gallbladder removed – you can try substituting virgin coconut oil for some of the other fats in your diet and see if that helps. You might also find that eating more frequent, smaller meals helps too. We definitely recommend you continue to consult with your doctor about this and make sure you eat a real-food nutrient-dense diet. I hope this helps!

Hi, my poop is very thick and is hard to get out, I’m not sure if its what I’m eating or if it’s because I’m not excercising enough. When poop is very long and thick, and I only go at most 4 times a week.

So I’ve been eating healthier daily. In the morning i will have a regular bowel movement but after lunch i will have several watery bowel movements. Is that normal? its been happening for about a week now since I’ve been meal prepping again.

Ever since I ate these garlic fries I feel like as if my digestive system has changed, like its not as solid as it used to be, I mean, it is much softer than usual, which of course is good, (type 4) but before I go, i get a tad bit of pain in my stomach.

Also at sometimes after I go and at times where I haven’t even recently gone, I feel like as if more is coming or that I need to go, but there actually isn’t. It’s like my body is playing tricks on me.

What does this mean? I’ve been wanting to know what it is and what I can do to help out with this.

Since I’ve had my son I’ve been having type 4 and type 6 up to 10 times a day, my doctors have said it sounds like ibs but I get terrible stomach ache, I’m also very tired all the time and need something to get this to stop and just go once a day can someone please help me 🙁

why do my poop has lots of blood in it? whenever it is hard.. it has blood in it…. it scares me… even when i don’t feel like pooping anymore and i just push it out and more blood is coming out… please help me 🙁 am i dying?

I had my gallbladder removed about 17 years ago in an emergency surgery (I was in fact very fit, not fat and not even close to 40). I maintained my running regimen (35-50 mpw), hiking/outdoor sports and by the time I reached 38, I hit a huge, horrible wall.

Apparently, no gallbladder is a huge deal! My poops always took long, were less firm, watery, rarely did I get a 4-ever during these last 17 years and was told that was normal for someone w/o a gallbladder – wrong! I found (when I hit this wall) that I’m malnutritioned. My stomach/small intestine has not been absorbing nutrients all these years. I hit 38 and gained about 20lbs over the course of that year, my running came to a screeching halt and I was exhausted on a daily basis.

Fast forward to 40 and still struggling…got on board with an excellent doctor who identified ‘adrenal exhaustion’ and put me on a vitamin regimen + digestive enzymes + bhrt = helped tons, but wasn’t enough.

Went through Dr. DiCenso’s MAP Assessment and now on mineral supplements and did a special 10-day detox to unclog my kidneys (congestion & stagnation) has set in and I’m have #4 poops everyday and up to 3x’s each day!!! Since I was 26 I’ve NEVER had a #4.

Hi. So, I have been having this problem for about a month now with (pooping) in my underwear. Not literally, but small amounts are coming out all throughout the day, sometimes without e even knowing, which is causing me to wipe and wipe and wipe and cause itchiness and redness down there constantly. My diet has not changed and neither have I been taking any different medications. That’s the first thing, I know that needs to be checked. All day long I’m wiping, sometimes excreting what I need, sometimes I only excrete just that amount that I’m wiping. My sister had mentioned something about a “pollop” (no idea how that would be spelled). Where there’s like a pocket next to the anus inside that holds poop. No idea. Anyway it’s getting to be very stressful for me. Anybody heard of this?

Because you haven’t made any changes in your diet and medications, we recommend you start by seeking out the advice of your doctor. A polyp is a possibility, but the only way to know for sure it to get checked out by your doctor.

A good next step is to keep a detailed journal of foods you ate, medications you took, anything significant happening in your life (like stressful events, etc.) and your symptoms. This can help pinpoint the cause of the change if your doctor has ruled out other possibilities.

Ok so I go about 4-5 times a day and it looks like mulch every time since my teenage years. You can visibly see what I had for lunch and it’s not anything from the night before. It’s stuff I ate a few hours earlier. I eat very healthy so I don’t understand and I’m always gassy. I’m thin and fit but I don’t think it’s normal to poop this way. Also I am lactose intolerant. Any advice or input?

I found this article very informative, thank you.
Here is my issue: in my 40s and for the last 2 years I have suffered from symptoms that my gastroenterologist has identified as IBS. BUT: I have no constipation (may be constipated once in a blue moon) and no diarrhea. My symptoms are mainly lower abdominal cramping (that can last several hours) sometimes queasiness (on and off) and gas. These symptoms will last from one to a few months. I had had a break all June/July and part of August and now they are back but with one difference:
In the past 2 weeks I have started to have 2/3 bowel movements every day (when I usually only have one) the stool is formed, snake like and soft (like image 4) the strange thing is that I will usually go in the morning, after I wake up and then I will feel like I have not completely emptied bowel and after I eat breakfast I will often feel the need to go to the bathroom again… I have been eating less and mainly cutting carbs in the past few weeks (to try and lose a few pounds) and still every time it seems the amount of stool passed is a large one, still I will often go again in the afternoon/evening. Is this normal? I can’t make sense of it and what bothers me is mainly the sensation of not having emptied bowels completely.
I have had complete blood work done just a few weeks ago, to check for gallstones/thyroid function/pancreas etc. and my doctor told me everything looks good.
Another unexplained symptom is the queasiness I get once in a while, not necessarily after eating.
Does this sound like IBS? Can I stop worrying? I just wish someone could help me shed some light on this and I wonder if there is anything I could try that would make the symptoms go away. Thanks for any feedback.

I changed my diet due to having gerd and interesting the article here talks about flora so I went to gnc to ask about flora and how it can improve my health. I bought a probiotic chewable. It’s been a month now free taking it and I have been finally going like a normal person again. The guy at gnc said the more flora the better so others may want to give a try.

Hi. I think I need help. I find it hard to hold food in,and I often have to visit the toilet after eating. I also have bloated stomach and it makes it hard to eat and wear certain clothes. I sometimes feel pain in my belly and v had to use someone’s toilet because m pressed. I feel that my food doesn’t digest before I excrete. I think that this inhibits weight gain for me,but its becoming so bad,I’m beginning to lose weight and I’m starting to look anorexic. My poop ranges from snake solid to liquid. I often have to spend more than 15 minutes in the toilet. More importantly, my weight loss is becoming a concern to me. Do u suppose my weight loss is as a result of my diet or my body metabolism and its breakdown of food?

You might want to consider an HCL supplement as well as digestive enzymes, since you think your food isn’t being well digested,. You can learn more about those by following the links in the article. Some symptoms of low stomach acid are undigested food in the stool and weight loss.

I really hope this information helps, and that you’re feeling much better soon, Debbi. If you have any questions, please email us: [email protected]

Hi.v always been one who poops like 2 or 3 times daily,often after I’ve just eaten.I feel that my food doesn’t digest and is immediately excreted. I am not overweight and I’m quite glad,but I seem to have started losing weight,as I feel that food I take is not absorbed into my system. I consume a lot of calories,just to gain a little more weight,but this isn’t helping. My stomach is almost always bloated and I have to fart a lot. Do u think my lack of weight adding is typical of my body or my diet and poop methods are responsible? I think I need your help

Hi I have had problems pooping for a long time now go between 4 and ten times a day sometimes only minutes between each one but if a stay on the toilet nothing else comes along this happens most first thing in the morning, but throughout the day my stomach visibly shrinks and swells and when swollen I find it rather hard to eat I always suffer with right lower flank pain which I have been told is nutcracker syndrome a problem with my kidneys but the pain is worse when I have eaten or need the toilet can you please help I’m only 20 and this has been going on for years.

I feel blessed that I purge after every meal. My waste changes depending on what I eat. I started a 30 detox program and eat nothing but clean foods now. I’m starting my 4th week and my waste has consistently looked like #4. I feel great. I started my 17 year old daughter on the clean eating program as well. She suffers from Crohn’s. We are both enjoying our new journey.

Hi I have a very serious question to ask of I poop maybe 1-2 times every week or so not only that but my poop is usually black mixed with an orange/brown color looking half and half and also after I eat anything I get severe pains in my lower part of my stomach and my poop is very difficult to push out it takes about 20 minutes to push it out while I also rip down there VERY PAINFUL! I have no insurance to see a doctor and I am not sure what else to do. To maybe get a more clearer answer I must tell you I am morbidly obese and I have an over eating disorder I eat more than I can probably digest.

Many people have complicated relationships with food, and overeating isn’t uncommon or anything to be ashamed of. It can be uncomfortable and frustrating, though. I really hope you’ll give this podcast a listen and maybe check out the Psychology of Eating website or podcast, too. I’ve found it incredibly insightful in my own journey: http://scdlifestyle.com/2015/07/the-unspoken-forces-of-food/

If you have more questions or need support, please email us anytime at [email protected] Samantha!

Hi Beth! Thanks for reaching out 🙂 From what you’re describing, it sounds like your poop is close to ideal (4 on the Bristol stool chart!) If you’re concerned about your poop, we recommend you consult with your doctor.

I eat all the above regularly and have done consistently recently. I have regularly been around a 6 on the poop scale – I recently stopped eating breakfast (but would often eat breakfast food in the afternoon) and became a 4. On returning to breakfast eating, I enjoy it, for the last 5 days I have now returned to a 6. I vary breakfasts and sometimes eat porridge, yoghurt, eggs. Would you have any thoughts on this?

Hi Lee, thanks for asking 🙂 We definitely advise eating breakfast to support your body’s energy needs and the healing process. That being said, we would suggest you alter your diet to the SCD diet or something similar, as it seems you are eating some foods for breakfast that could be causing less than perfect stools. We suggest starting here with our Free quick start guide:http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi J Hunter – it sounds like you could take some steps to try and improve your poop. The best place to start is with our Free quick start guide here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/ and with the tips in this article as well 🙂

We also recommend you keep your doctor informed about any hcnges you’re making in your health!

November of 2014 I was on the ER with what I thought was appendicitis come to find out I was constipated . I went to my doctor they put me on omeprazole for burning sensation in my stomach . Now everytime I eat I have to use the bathroom and I feel much better even tho I stopped taking the med they made me have bad indigestion . Is this normal to have stomach problems and then they pretty much go away on their own ? Also I have started back to the gym maybe 3 to 4 times a week .

Hi Rick! Our bodies (especially our digestive systems) our incredible and complex and can be impacted both positively and negatively by a ton of factors. Regardless of what caused the change, we’re really happy you’re feeling better. Going the the gym sounds like it was a positive change, too!

Hi pLease help me!! I have to poop right after I’m done eating, like every time, even sometimes during. I Get really bad stomach times during the moment and its always like a number 6 or 7. Every once in a while ill have a number 5. And it’s sad this takes away from my family time and it’s pretty embarrassing. Is there something wrong with me? I really don’t want to go to a butt doctor that would be awful I pretty much refuse to and just deal with my problem. Is it my stomach? My diet? Please help me!

Hi Jen, we know talking about poop and gastrointestinal issues can be hard and embarrassing at first, but we do recommend you go see your doctor first (take the bristol stool chart with you, if that helps, to better describe your stool type). From there we recommend a program like the SCD diet, which can help narrow down which foods may be causing a problem for you. You can download the free quick start guide here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi Jae, constipation and bloating can be unpleasant. Sometime they can be serious problems too. We recommend you consult your doctor and also see these resources for what to do to feel better: http://scdlifestyle.com/category/constipation/

Very confused here. I been eating 80% veggies and fruits and 20% protein.
I feel so much better, sleep better, the fogginess has left my head, I’m 49 overweight and lost 22pounds so far doing this. I’m never hungry and not bored of this diet yet. I eat almonds as a snack or fruits and only use coconut oil or olive oil, YET everything I read about the changes in my poop point to bad things?
I never went daily until now.
I suffered all my life from constipation until now yet according to what I’m reading my stool indicated malabsorption and is in floating pieces.
I believed eating right would change my stool but what I reading isn’t good
ALSO— I’m combining the proper foods with each other, eating melon all by itself, waiting for proper digestion time after each meal…. So why is the stool saying I’m not pooping right for the way I’m eating?
No sugar no dairy no snacks no fried food no red meat no bread of any kind no rice no white potatoes — sweet potatoes instead avacados everyday (1/2) salad spinach every day — what’s wrong with this picture ?

Ok for 3 weeks I have been having weird pain in my lower back and abdomen with aches through my groin area. I have had acid reflux for years and always had stomach problems where I go to the bathroom about 30 minutes after I eat. Usually a 5-7. I had a blood test and urinalysis done, all normal. GI put me on a low FODMAP diet and some dexilant. Now for 3 days Poo is closer to a 4 but it doesn’t seem like there’s enough compared to how much I eat. Yesterday a couple times it was just gas with a little mucus. And I feel an ache in my lower back like I need to go, but when I do it’s not hard like constipation. GI says I may have had some type of infection that’s getting better and a touch of IBS. Does this sound right? I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and it came back clean. Scheduled for another one and a CT scan, also an upper GI soon. Nervouse. Does this sound like IBS to you? Thanks

Hi Brandon, thanks so much for reaching out to us. We aren’t doctors and can’t make any diagnoses. We’re glad to hear you’re consulting your doctor regarding these symptoms.

After reading your history and questions, it sounds like you need a comprehensive program that will address diet, lifestyle, supplements, and root causes. Again, we aren’t able to make any sort of diagnosis and we recommend you continue consulting with your doctor 🙂

The best place to start is by taking the personalized quiz, which will help you sort through some of your issues and give you direction: http://solvingleakygut.com/myquiz/

We also highly recommend you register for one of our free Solving Leaky Gut Webinars, where the following will be addressed and much more:

Wow my husband kept telling me something was wrong with me and I just figured it’s always something I eat. But I have had problems for years now. With my schedule revolving around my poop I can’t go anywhere that doesn’t have a bathroom. For instance in the last 2 hours I have gone #7, 4 times. : / usually I will go 3-5 times in the morning and another 3-5 times at night. Always a 6 or 7. I need to get a diet plan started to stop this!

Hi Bailey, we’re so glad you reached out to us! Based on what you’ve written, I think our Solving Leaky Gut plan could be a great program for you. The best place to start is by taking the personalized quiz, which will help you sort through some of your issues and give you direction: http://solvingleakygut.com/myquiz/

We also highly recommend you register for one of our (totally free) Solving Leaky Gut Webinars, where the following will be addressed and much more:

Hello,
I am 20 years old and I have IBS, I go to the bathroom everyday and always have a BM. Sometimes it will be pencil thin and then other times it is normal. I do not drink water,just mostly soda and my diet is greasy foods and junk. I do not have pain or anything. Could my poor diet be the cause?

In our experience, changing your diet is the foundation of improving your digestive health and healing your gut. We recommend you sign up for one of our free webinars to learn more about what changes you can make in your diet and lifestyle to heal your gut including specific anti-inflammatory foods to eat (and not eat) to stop suffering: http://solvingleakygut.com/webinar/live/ We hope to see you at the webinar!

Hi so I’ve been having a problem for a year now my poop has been very watery and I accidently poop myself at times and not even feel that I gotta poop . It just comes out.. please help idk what I need to do to change this ..

Hi Jessica, I’m sorry you’re experiencing this 🙁 We recommend you see your doctor about this problem if you haven’t yet. You may also want to check out these resources as a next step: http://scdlifestyle.com/category/diarrhea-2/

hi I poop three times every morning at around 6 to 9am b4 I can feel comfortable nd each time I tak lomotea nd flygin nt go poop up to three times I start feeling little headache till I force my self to poop I ll nt b OK pls Wt do I do I can’t continue to poop three times in d morning I no is nt right DT way

Hi Cent, I’m really sorry you’re going through this hard time. In our experience 2-3 bowel movements a day can be perfectly normal and healthy. If you feel that this is unhealthy for you, we recommend you consult with your doctor.

Hi,
I’m #5 and I go 2,3 times to the bathroom daily. Depend in what I’m eating. If it’s from out side it effects and if not I normally went 2 times. I got hemorrhoid from 3 days and it’s very painful. I want to know if I need to go to the doctor or not? Now I feel better. But my problem is the shape of my stool. Is that okay or not?

I have to poop every 15-60 minutes and have for several days now. It is closest to #4&5 on the quiz above but at times when I go it’s like my body is trying to push something out that isn’t there. Similar to dry heaving. Any thoughts or suggestions?

So I poop a lot as soon as I wake up. At least 3 times before I even have breakfast. Is this normal? I heard it may be because of late night eating but I don’t eat late that much. Every now and then I’ll have a bowl of cereal but that’s about it. I’d say I’m a 5.

I usually poop every morning as soon as I wake up. My poops are always a 4, unless I’ve eaten dairy by accident. (Lactose intolerant)
Some mornings there is a lot of poop. So it takes 10-15 mins. I start pooping almost immediately after sitting on the toilet, so no waiting or anything. I’m not straining to eliminate it. It just keeps coming and coming. Other mornings it only takes a few mins. This is my normal routine. my husband is concerned that something is wrong cause I was actually in the act of pooping for so long. It’s not like I was sitting there waiting for things to start. They started fine, and just kept going for a while. But it was normal texture and consistency. Like the perfect #4.

I poop about twice a week. Its always either diarrhea or severe constipation there is always blood when it’s hard. My belly hurts every time I go and will throb for at least an hour after. There’s colon cancer in my family but I am terrified of needles and don’t feel comfortable having anyone near my private areas. Is there a way of getting tested with out being probed?

First and foremost, I don’t go everyday. I’m definitely in the 1-3 day range. I’ve had times where I go Friday morning, and don’t go again until Sunday night.

Also, I find that many times that I’m either a 3 or 5 on the chart. I prefer 3, because it never hurts, and the mess is minimal. Sometimes there is a little blood. 4 is disgusting though…. the mess requires up to 10 wipes, and most of it doesn’t come out. I gotta come back a few hours later and wipe again.

Solutions? All I hear is diet diet diet, which I get. But still, is this common?

I have type four but they’re biggens and they happen atleast twice a day and we’re talking the size of my forearm… At first I thought it was normal but one day I forgot to flush and my mum came across one of these monsters and said I better get it checked.. I’ve been to see my gp and he said it was normal but if he saw them in sure he would see that they are far from normal
Please help me

Hi Sam, thanks for reaching out. It’s great that you’ve spoken to your doctor about your concerns. Our Solving Leaky Gut program addresses the root causes of your digestive troubles to heal your entire digestive system. I recommend you take this quiz as the next step: http://solvingleakygut.com/myquiz/

Hi- my doc said to take Imodium so I do this daily. I had a stroke (corated artery) 2 years ago, I take Lipitor and metformin. Also thyroxine tabs 88 mg, paroxetine, and propranolol. I think my meds are doin it to me but which one? I also hear that neurological issues could effect my poop. Help my poop is controlling my life and I poop my pants sometimes 2x a day. I am 58. I run to the bathroom all the time. I hate this!!!

Hi Patti, we highly encourage you to speak with your doctor about the medications you are on and other possible options there, as we can not give you medical advice. Secondly, addressing your diet is gong to be vital to regaining your health and we encourage you to start here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

I poop 2 times a day, it is fine in the beginning but it become like type 6 after some seconds. Sometimes all of it is like type 6 .. But i dont poop more then 2 times. I do it when i get up in the morning and before going to bed. I have tried many antibiotics that doctor gave me. But haven’t felt better. I am continuously losing weight. My height is 6’1 and my weight is 61 kg. Plz help me.

Hello, Zain thanks for taking the time to reach out today. It sounds like you need to address your diet first as well as the after affects of taking the antibiotics you have mentioned. It would be a great starting point for you to jump into the SCD diet or something similar sooner than later and you can begin here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

I had extremely bad diarrhea about two weeks ago, to the point I didn’t make it to the bathroom (I think this was anxiety related), and it was the first time that had ever happened to me. But ever since I find myself going about 4-5 times a day instead of my normal twice; and it’s always a 6-7 on the chart- although my poop varies through the whole chart depending on how well I eat (I work different shift patterns), I don’t think I’ve had a healthy 4 for a couple of months now.

I don’t eat “rubbish” as such, but I don’t have a vary varied died. I eat a lot of chicken, pasta, white bread, eggs, cheese, vegetables, bacon.. And I do take a lot of fizzy drink and some alcohol. I don’t really eat much red meat and I don’t like fruit although I have tried to eat a banana each day over the last two weeks because I was told the high fibre would help but it just seems to be worse. I have also in the past few months started drinking coconut water, I drink a glass each day, could this be making it worse as opposed to better?

Hi Aimee, I see several things that could be causing these issues for you and it would be a great idea to adapat to the SCD diet or something similar. The best place to start is here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi Jean, floating stools can point to possible malabsorption issues, increased gas with in the stool, and a possible gut infection. We encourage you to have your husband address his diet right away, as this would be a great starting point: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi Annette, it is hard to say what is going on, but we suggest addressing your dietary needs as a great first start. Typically, 1-2 bowel movements per day is optimal. If you are interested in addressing this issue, please start here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi, my poop is coming out like number six. I’m going a few times a day for example I’ll get random stomach cramps and have to run to the bathroom and it alway comes out like the picture. Any ideas/advise?

I have been having # 3/4 all the time for the last 3 years. A few times a month i will pass a log nearly 1 foot long and 2 or 3 inches thick. Often it nearly kills me. I need help. Making changes. Thanks!

I seem to go all the time, after evey meal! Some tell me it’s normal, others say it’s not healthy! I need some help. Certain foods trigger me to go poop, just prepared food, spicy foods, dairy, chocolate, you name it, it pretty much makes me go. What should I do?

My whole life I’ve had type 4 until about 2 months ago. I’ve experienced constipation /type 1 stools which lead to hemmroids. I got a colonoscopy and everything came back normal besides the hemmroids. I tried to get everything back to normal after the procedure but my stools still came out very long and large and with pieces of hard stools that were difficult to pass, this has made the hemmroids worse. What do you recommend for someone who has large stools and can’t seem to get rid of the harder ones ?

I go like 2-3 times a week. Sometimes it is a #3-4, but this week it is a #5-6. I don’t know what the problem is. I don’t know if it is what I’m eating or what. But I’m healthy but for the past 2 days I get an upset stomach at random times during the day, and sit on the toilet and have a #6. And sometimes I know I’m not finished, but nothing else will come out. That’s usually every time I go.

hi my name is Randy and my diet varies. I often go weeks without eating more than one meal a day because of my busy schedule it’s hard for me to find time for meal. My poop well when I do poop looks like #1 , the first picture on the chart sometimes when I drink in excess. it goes back to normal should I be worried

My right side feels like my lower back hurts in my belly stays bloated especially after I eat .. What foods should I eat I love fruits and I like veggies .. I don’t eat meat a lot guess you can say I’m carbohydrate eat’er ????

I have experienced a VERY fast throughput ever since I was a kid. My body works much faster than most as far as I can tell. For example, if I eat a salad that doesn’t agree with me, it will pass through me in a very short time. Sometimes in about 6-8 hours or so. The majority of the time however, I’ve had 1-3 evacuations per day and all type 4 and very long. I’m tall however and height/ wt prop. I’d estimate them to be about 12-20 inches long, not too firm, and not too soft. The size however is what concerns me, as there is often times where I’ll have 3 of these monsters a day and yes they do make me feel better afterwards, but I really don’t recall eating all that food sometimes!!? Is it normal to have the size and length that I have routinely? I honestly only eat two normal size meals a day, but eliminate 3 x regularly. Also, I have noticed that my time from eating to eliminating is never more than 20 hours. ( can tell by the food and the resulting poo that it was what I had. That seems to be just a very fast course of evacuation when the average is about 8-12 hours from time to eat, to out the exit.

Hi Drew, thanks for reaching out. The best place to start is by adjusting your diet to see if this makes a difference. What is of most importance in your situation is the quality of the stool. http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Earlier I used to suffer a lot due to incomplete evacuation and whole day, I used to suffer from Gas formation and swollen belly! !!
I have tried several treatments both Allopathic and Ayurvedic also but not getting satisfaction at all and my face used to remain dull, life less! !
Now, after several self trial and errors , I have developed new methodology to ensure complete evacuation and is working extremely well and paying me with Dividends! !!
I started consuming Cold Pressed Sesame Oil for cooking and occasional 1 TSP consumption through oral dosses . And another item is as below .
Powder made from Fenugreek seeds, Black Cummin seeds, taking during bedtime and drinking hot water before going to sleep.
Third item is consumption of tea made from following items without milk and sugar.
Cinnamon pieces, KalonjI seeds, white organic Cummin seeds, Elaichy( Cardamom ) , Ajwaine etc in very hot boiled water — Twice a day just half an before and after meals! !
Now Chronic Gas formation has vanished, poops started flowing quickly without trouble and with full evacuation! ! Face glow has also started improving now! !!
Please follow and relive yourself without spending Dollars to Doctors! !!

Ok so i poop between 4 and 8 times a day and my poop changes with each time i go it will change in color and consistency. I eat and with in hours poop my food out to where I can see what I have eaten. I go from total diarrhea to tiny Peeples and it’s always a feeling of incomplete. Like I’m not finished yet.. 2 months ago I had a severe episode of rectal bleeding and I am currently working with Doctors to figure out why. My blood work showed mildly high ALT liver enzymes so now I must see a gastrologist! I have severe bought of pain in my stomach but they don’t last long and a few times it was so bad I almost passed out cause the pain got so bad.. help

Sometimes after i eat certain foods (yet to diagnose) I have diarrhoea almost straightt away, sometimes i have bright red blood in the toilet bowl and on my toilet paper and don’t feel ’emptied’ Should i be worried?

Thank you for reaching out! We are truly grateful for the opportunity to connect with you. We suggest consulting iwth your doctor if you are worried in any way about your symptoms.
The SCD diet has helped many people in your same shoes regain their health.
The best place to start is with our Free quick start guide here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/
From here, we highly recommend following the directions in the eBook for best results: http://scdlifestylebook.com/

For all of you with runny stool 4-6 times a day that someone told you you have IBS, check for BLASTO and Gardia most commonly misdiagnosed condition. Over 40 MILLION Americans have some form of infection and they were told that they have IBS.

Usually I poop around 1 time a day but recently I’ve been pooping 3-4 times a day and small amounts. My poop is like type 4. And I feel empty after pooping. But I get a mild abdominal pain just before I poop. Is it fine or should I consult a doctor?

Hi Alisha, thanks for reaching out! It would be best to start paying attention to your diet to try and pin point any problematic foods. If you are looking for some guidance, please see our effective meal plans here: http://scdlifestyle.com/meal-plans/

morning right after I poop again I HV to poop. no matter how patiently I sit the first time I ll end up in bathroom just within five minutes. it’s not affecting my health in any way. but I d like to do it 1-2 times a day like a regular person. please help

Hi Sam, thanks for reaching out! This is a sign of constipation and we suggest adapting to a new diet such as the SCD diet or our Solving leaky gut diet, which is more comprehensive and will have a specific protocol for constipation: solvingleakygut.com

i was woundering if anyone could tell me what going on with me im not sure i have been having stomack pains alot but once i go sit on toliet and poop i feel better.also here within this year i started feeling nasua off and on when get stomack pain.

HI Tabitha, thanks for reaching out1 IT is hard to say what may be going on with out a full health history, but my best suggestion is to change your diet by starting on the SCD diet with our free quick start guide here: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

My stool is a usually a 6. I have been diagnosed with leaky gut and on a glutten free diet but still have horrible heart burn. I only go once or twice a day but stool is never a 4. I have been on Premier Brand HCL and HCL activator but I don’t think it’s helping. I am working with a doctor but just not seeing the results. I keep losing weight and am very frustrated. I have a similar story to Kit’s. was on 3 rounds of antibiotics but I am extremely fatigued and as told I have weak or fatigued adrenals. So frustrated and want to gain weight back and enjoy eating again.

Hi Marisa, thank you for reaching out! we know it can be frustrating at times, but we encourage you to stick with it, tweak the diet as needed for your specific needs, and continue to fight for your health.

For the past 2 weeks I notice that every time I poop, it floats. Every. TIME! I removed dairy from my diet, perhaps there was too much gas, but nothing. Sometimes my stool leaves marks on the toilet bowl when I flush. I am concerned that I am suffering from malabsorbtion? Celiac? I don’t know what I can do to help improve this.. (I should note, that I was on a string of antibiotics for 2.5 weeks prior to this issue, I don’t know if that is related. Also, as far as my energy levels, I feel fine. Just one day I went #2, and it floated, and it hasn’t stopped.)

Hi Kit, thank you for reaching out! It sounds like you need a complete approach to address these issues, and we highly suggest looking into our Solving Leaky Gut program found here: solvingleakygut.com

Hi Rachel, thank you for reaching out! Your bowels are not moving properly and you certainly need to look into some diet and lifestyle changes. Please go here for more information and to take the quiz:
solvingleakygut.com

Hi and thanks for this wonderful website.
I did not have any stomach and bowel problem before, but from last year after a 4 day period of pain and black stool it began. After that after 5 months I go to doctor for bowel problem and the problem was that my stool got very soft and shiny and I didn’t fell empty any time after going to toilet. I did a stool examination came back normal but a positive Helicobacter pylori but doctor didn’t give me meds except Bismuth. And now after about 4 months I came up with low grade pain in stomach and soft stool again I go and see another doctor he gave me meds to cure helico. I have to mention that I had 4 or 5 periods of acid reflux since last year too.
My stool is very soft but no watery at all, It comes out as soon as I sit on the toilet it looks like number 4 in bristol chart but I dont feel empty many times even after I took bismuth it is still very soft. I go to toilet once or twice every day.
Is my body normal? what’s my problem?

Hi Aahmad, thank you for reaching out! It sounds like you need to adapt to a new diet, such as the SCD diet, and possible get some more stool testing done. It would be best to change your diet first and see how you feel while doing that. You can start with our free quick start guide on scdlifestyle.com if you are interested.

Hi, I am glad someone wrote about this. I poop every day, 3-5 times a day on a normal day, when I’m having a bad day, 5-10!!!! There are even days when i will have a range of poop in the same hour!! I will be constipated one minute, like #2 or 3 then once i get it out, then its Diarrhea!! The fact that I am constantly going and I am overweight is extremely concerning to me. Can some one please give me an opinion on this? Thank you!!

Hi Jen, thank you for reaching out! It sounds like you need to adapt to a new diet, such as the SCD diet. There are many tools you can use to have healthy bowel movements, and this quick start guide is a great start: http://scdlifestyle.com/scd-quick-start-guide/

Hi Allie, thank you for reaching out! This is a sign of constipation and we do suggest getting on a program such as the SCD diet to address the issue, as diet, supplements, and lifestyle changes are all part of the solution.

Hi is it normal to poop everyday? My poops are like type 4 had it now for about two weeks? I’m doing more exsurses now and also using cergem beds? Hater I poop my bum is really ichy :/ and feels like I need to go for poop again what cud this be please?

Hi Zara, thank you for reaching out! Yes, it is normal and healthy to poop each day, as this is one of the ways our bodies detoxes it’s self. If you feel you are not all the way done when you have had a bowel movement, this is a sign of constipation as well and we suggest you adapt a new diet, as well as a constipation protocol such as the one in our program here: http://healthygut.solvingleakygut.com/

Hi have an issue,I used to have regular bowel movements once daily until I had my son via c-section. I now have bowel movements like #6-#7 after every meal and I have horrible gas/stomach pain before and after this is really bothering me and I feel somethings wrong. Do you think I should seek medical attention from a health care provider of mine?

HI Kaytlyn, thank you for reaching out! It is always a good idea to find a practitioner you trust to oversee your medical concerns and decisions. If you are in need of one, you can find one here: http://scdlifestyle.com/practitioners/ You can also try one of our programs, as they will help you address these issues you have mentioned.

Okay I have been pooping 5-8 times a day every time is diarrhea for 5 days straight. I get stomach pain then have to go even waking up in the middle of the night. I have been eating healthy since the second day. Please let me know what I can do that isn’t expensive. I need help fast.

i no my poop is not normal at all i dont have insurance
ive just started like 3 months ago taking high blood pressure medication
paying for that and not to mention over the contours diarrhea medication ive been having it for over a month now first thing in the morning i changed to decaf coffee and still right away diarrhea
in the late afternoon diarrhea sometimes 3 times a day
is there anything else i can do to get ride of this not sure if the medication is doing this to me but my blood pressure is down now this is happening it is a little irrating being i have kids to take care of so
is there a answer on how to get back to a regulr poop i no my die is off wack too 🙂
but im trying

Thanks for reaching out! We recommend starting SCD and giving it at least 30 days and see how you feel. You can find our book here: http://scdlifestylebook.com. Also, it would be a good idea to remove coffee completely until you know for sure you’re not reacting to it and much healing has occurred.

Ok I have been having a bad problem and don’t have Insurance to go the doctor I have been pooping all day for two weeks and before that I didn’t poop for a month i normally only poop 3-4 times a week I haven’t changed my diet at all my poop has been 5-7 after I pooped the first two times from not going for a month and the first two times it was 1-3 all I know is I don’t like this at all my in a mad mood all the time my stomach is in pain please help

Hey Alisha – It’s a good idea to have a doctor who gets it on your side. In the meantime keep reading on this site. Get our free quick start guide and some digestive enzymes and you’ll be well on your way to easing the pain.

i changed my diet to include alot more healthy foods, im even eating less meat and drinking ungodly amounts of water. I took activia for 2 weeks (the cup said to take for only two weeks) and in the first week and a half my poop went from a type 2 to a type 4. But then it started to deteriorate back to a type 2 over the next 3 days. Im still pooping everyday, buts its very hard now, and i went from pooping in the mornings to pooping at random points in the day. This is the second time ive changed my diet and its the same result. Everything works well at first but then i get constipated again. I have no idea what to do. Also i never seem to let it all out when i go. Theres always some left over. Can anybody help me out??

Hi Andrew, we suggest starting SCD from the intro diet and giving it at least 30 days to see how you feel. Two really key supplements to consider as well are digestive enzymes and betaine hcl. They can literally be a light switch for turning around GI problems.

I CANT POOP, I POOP ONCE MAYBE 3 TIMES A MONTH, 5 ON A GOOD ONE. I NEVER GET CRAMPS OR PAINS SO ITS NOT LIKE IM CONSTIPATED AND JUST AM NOT GOING. MY DOCTOR SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME AND THAT ALL MY LEVELS ARE GOOD. ON THE CHART I WASNT CONSTIPATED OR ANYTHING WHEN I DO POOP ITS SNAKE LIKE SO WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME. MY DIET IS HEALTHY I DRINK A LOT OF WATER AND SUCH AND IM NOT FAT SO I DONT THINK ITS ALL STUCK IN THERE… MY THEORY IS I MAY HAVE A REALLY ACIDIC STOMACH AND IT JUST GETS WASHED DOWN WITH MY URINE BC I PEE A LOT BUT STILL IVE BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE I CAN REMEMBER AND WELL I JUST WANT TO POOP EVERYDAY..and be normal

Hi Albert, thanks for reaching out! In many cases, the first step comes down to a matter of figuring out the proper definition for your situation. Steve addresses constipation in depth in this blog post and what can be done to help turn things around: http://scdlifestyle.com/2013/10/4-common-signs-of-constipation/

OMG the low carb for too long rings true for me, before Paleo I went on the restrictive anti-yeast diet then gluten free, all three restrictive carb diets, no wonder I crave pasta :0
My diet is too restrictive and so is my bowel!
Where is the constricted HB pencil on the stool chart???
Hmmm….my hormones are unbalanced, I’m an emotional mess, insomnia and no NRG!
I thot my cortisol is low and my adrenals crashed, can this be fixed by adding carbs and salt?
The salt deprivation rings true, as does the fat deprivation.
I have to re-train myself to eat properly now that I’m somewhat gut healed I guess, this trial and error process is exhausting and complicated.
I did manage to go from IBS alternating to IBS-C though, IBD still inflammation but not ulcerated,no pain or gas during my lengthy remissions, no meds all diet.

How about poop that is so soft and smooth that is sticks to the bowl? Isn’t that the ‘tarry’ poop we hear about? What does that indicate?? Also have indigestion mentioned in last comment with gas symptoms after meals (like air stuck under sternum) and at times alot of burping.

I’m almost to week 4 of Phase 1 Tough Case and I was constipated for the first week. I was advised to take CALM magnesium to soften the poop and now I go about every other day but it varies between a 6 and 7. I had stopped taking Betaine HCl because I was taking Aleve and Tylenol 3 times a day to manage the RA pain and swelling. I am now almost symptom free except when I introduced pears and then zucchinis. It takes about three days for the symptoms to go away. I’m a bit concerned about my poops and went back to Bitters when I began experiencing indigestion a few days ago and gas symptoms after each meal (I don’t think it’s heatburn, but it feels like air is stuck right under my sternum.
Should I be concerned? Is it common to react to pears and zucchini? I’m supposed to introduce apples and I’m a bit nervous….

So glad to see you guys addressing incomplete poops…one of the hallmarks of IBS…especially IBS-C. Could you please comment back on this: I may have to go 1-4 times/day, but sometimes my colon ‘wrenches up’…like there is a charleyhorse in it. The poop is there, but the colon spasms and will not move it along. Gets tough to eat, because you feel very backed up, gassy, full and in pain. and…In many that have IBS-C, fat exacerbates this rather than helping it. I eat clean, take probiotics, recently had a pretty normal stool sample test and am taking enzymes for commensal bacteria found. Would love to hear what you have to say. THANKS! and best to you for you continued good work and success.

I’m no expert, but maybe a squatty potty would help you out. I own one. It elevates your feet so that you are in a more natural squatting position, which helps your lower digestive (pooping muscles) relax and work more effectively. There is a really good (not graphic) video on youtube and you can buy the product on Amazon. Here’s the video link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYcv6odWfTM

Omgoodness this is me all the way. Sometimes i go 4 days without pooping. I have IBS-C, auto immune disease, mental issues….blah blah blah you name it I feel it. Been living like this since I was 15, I’m now 38 . Its exhausting and controls my life. I had it under the most control last year thru Paleo diet and crossfit. I had never felt better. However, I allowed work stress and excuses to take over and I’m back where I started two years ago. I want to get back on track but struggle to make ‘today the day’ I change. If I poop once a day its a magical day. I know this is not a response to your question to the experts, its nice to know I’m not alone in this struggle.

Hi! So I would like to point out there is a connection being made between psychological health and gut health. They are positively correlated which means one is doing good so will the other and same with both doing bad. Also there are many instances of people improving on a gluten-free diet whether or not they officially test as celiac. Those people often have a leaky gut and if it’s went on long enough develop autoimmune conditions. If I was in your situation I would get to the “gut” of things. Also if psych meds have largely been affective, “treatment resistant” this would also be yet another indicator of systemic inflammation. ** Ineffective not affective-sorry just woke up. Dr Amy Myers has a program that addresses leaky gut. It’s $197, if you watch the webinar. She not only addresses leaky gut, but also addresses autoimmunity treatement as well. It’s a bit of a commitment, but it’s less of a commitment than having multiple illnesses run your life and paying for visits to get meds that sometimes help and can have lots of side effects

Thanks for this very informative and well written article on poop! I’ve shared it on my FB page, and hope to encourage others to not only pay attention to their own poop, but (if possible) to their children’s poop. It’s an easy way to assess your child’s health and make sure their little bodies are happy and healthy!

im doing paleo diet. And for my stool, when it first comes out, its firmed with banana shape, just like the type 4, but after half mins into the water,they are gradually turn into type 6..is it normal? and whats the cause for this situation.. thx

Hey, my poop is usually number 3 or 4, but i don’t poop daily. I am in the right weight range for my age, and ai eat healthy(normally about the right amout of food as well). So I was wondering what’s going on?

Hi Jade! Welcome to the SCD Lifestyle community. Congrats on being so close to finishing school.

It is really impossible to give an EXACT definition of what is and isn’t constipated as it is a little different for each person. Maybe for YOU, pooping only a day means you’re constipated – for other people, pooping just once a day is healthy and normal.

Frequency has to be considered with all the other factors – like what kind of stool you’re having, the ease of going, and if the frequency has been a change (for example you go from pooping three times a day to pooping only once a day suddenly – or you poop just once a day and you have a number #1 on the chart everytime)

It is kind of crazy to think that every single person would always poop every morning and afternoon (if they were healthy) when you consider how amazingly diverse humans are in every other way. We are unique and so are our bathroom habits! You’re right, though, that it is very important to avoid constipation – and we have en entire section of articles devoted to just that here: http://scdlifestyle.com/category/constipation/

I haven’t read all the responses and replies however I’m curious if you did mention the position of squatting in order to poop rather than sitting with your feet on the ground while on the toilet, which causes the sphincter muscle to close and creates straining w/ pooping. I now have a Squatty Potty stool at my commode, and find it does help considerably. I think this is such an important aspect of pooping, but I didn’t see it here and I just wanted to make sure that it was mentioned!

Hey, so this might be because you are dehydrated. Try to increase your intake of water to 8 cups a day and you’ll see a big difference. Also, exercize makes you poop more frequently (personal experience). Hope this helps 🙂

The problem is either two of these
1. You have got a bad bug in your stomach and that is causing diahrea
2. You may have coeliac disease like me were I was healthy and in shape and I pooped like 10 times a day so if I were you I would get a blood test done from your local doctor and see if you have got coeliac disease and then if you have further treatment will be given???

Maybe I am weird. Well, I KNOW I am weird. But it is easier for me if I lean back rather than squat. Especially if I am constipated. The urge almost seems to go away the more I bend over. I haven’t figured out why. But there it is.

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